Observational Marketing

A Year In The Life Of A Marketing Speaker 2011

2011-12-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

Okay I admit it I am a lover not a fighter and I am a speaker not a writer! Blogs are great but I have to admit I prefer to talk and present the stuff I come across rather than turn to a keyboard....

So earlier this year I created my YouTube Channel dedicated to Observational Marketing, feel free to peruse what goes on in the Manchester Utd toilets, How to make your message come to life at an exhibition stand and watch an incredible face lift in action. http://www.youtube.com/user/geofframm?ob=5

But for now I turn to the keyboard for the final time this year and take a look back on what has been an exciting and extraordinary year in the world of a marketing speaker. From Manchester to Mashhad, from Cornwall to Cape Town the year was also littered with footballing stars wherever I went - to the point where I could have filled my incomplete Panini sticker albums twice over.

January 'It All Kicked Off.....
In George Best airport, where my first gig of the year was my keynote 'Branding It's Not Just For Cattle' for the teams and senior managers of hr departments in Belfast. Had a great time working with Maureen Robson-Norman and the team but the night before the event we went to a Chinese restaurant where kids could eat for £5 but there was a height restriction!!!!!!!!!! OMG leave height restrictions for the rides not the noodles!

February 'It was Kicking Off BIG Time'
Some of the highlights this month were (thanks to the snow) my postponed keyntoes for EMB Ltd in the East Midlands. This is the 3rd year running I have spoken for them and when I look back at how I got the gigs I spoke at a free event over 4 years ago. Never write off a freebie!

It was lovely to work with TEDCO again this time at the Customs House, South Shields, however, half way through my talk two guys who spotted each other decided they had previous with one another and decided to break out into a fight and chased each other round the room, welcome back to Shields!

This month also saw me speaking with one of my modern day footie heroes, Sir Niall of the Quinn. We spoke together at an Ecademy360 event for local children from Sunderland speaking about desires, aspirations and staying positive!! The man is a true gent, he is so humble and gave up so much time to speak and sign autographs and he also gave tickets to everyone there (not sure if this was such a positive gesture).

March and April 'Clogs and Wine Tasting at 10am!'
I began the Early Years Are Forever tour with great female speaker Shonette Bason - such a natural speaker and performer. We started in the North East and then took the events for Primary Schools to Nottingham, Manchester & Cardiff - watch out for her she's gonna be big!!! www.shonettebason.com

I also spoke at the GSS (Global Speakers Summit) in Noordwijk with some great speakers from all over the world. For me it was great to see so many familiar (for familiar see friends) in my talk inc; Alan Stevens (did a fantastic closing btw) Lesley Everett, Richard McCann, Ayd Instone, Charles Marcus to name but a few!

Later this month I flew down to Cape Town for my first trip of many this year to South Africa. Wolfgang Riebe of UK kids tv fame in the 80's picked me up and then 2 hours later we were all sampling wines in Stellenbosch at 10am. For me this was great but for Kenny Harris the only difference was it was warmer than Glasgow!

This was the greatest convention of all, an amazing place and such a welcome from our PSASA friends. I closed the conference on the first day and then roomed with my Iranian fellow 'Mercury' buddy Sepehr Tarvardian who insists on having the fire on all night!!!!

From Cape Town I flew into Joburg, stayed in the best hotel yet at Tinstwalo Waterfall www.tintswalo.com and then met the one and only Michael Jackson www.theothermichaeljackson.com for the first time since Isfahan 2009. We spoke together in Joburg and it was like old times just no rugs :-( Met so many of the USB superstars and the welcome into the speaker bureau from Paul McConnon and Marilyn Woolfrey was first class.

Geoff Ramm & Nissan Main Dealer

May
An Englishman flies into Dublin on an Easyjet plane to speak to the Association of South African Travel Agents - you can't make it up. I was sponsored by British Airways to deliver the closing keynote of their 3 day conference. A tall order considering I was following Shay McConnon (Paul's uncle) and Kevin Gaskell. Q. What do you get when you blend Ireland with a South African audience? A seriously friendly event that can certainly drink!!! A lot ;-)

June - Joburg Part 2, University Challenge, Back to School, Half of Saint n Greavsie
Flew back into Johannesburg to deliver a variety of marketing keyntoes at the Markex conference I am now used to Braai's and Hunters Dry ;-) One stand out speaker for me was Debora Patta, no powerpoint, did not move around and stood behind a lectern - the power of her message and her voice simply blew people away. I got back from an overnight flight (sitting next to John Barnes on the plane) just in time to speak at the Blueprint Awards at Sunderland

Later that month I just had one of those days....spoke to 400 pupils at my old school Whitburn Academy about my journey so far, I don't specialise in speaking in schools but there is a buzz like no other audience I've known. I left school and drove down Oxford that same day oh and my Facebook grew by over 300 friends! I arrived to give the closing keynote at the CIMA Conference 2011 and later that evening I sat alongside Jimmy Greaves yes you read that right Greavsie!!!! footy legend and someone who I used to tape on VHS every Saturday afternoon - a great guy and a night I will long remember.

Awaiting 400 pupils from Whitburn Academy!

I'll be Saint for the night

July - For He's A Jolly Good.....
Fellowship to the PSA came through this month and it was a great ambition of mine since I joined the organisation 4 years ago. This was the start of a progression through the ranks which to be honest I never saw coming as I was also voted to become the President of the PSA UK in 2013.

August - Churchill, Gandhi and Ramm
Two further weeks in South Africa was nothing short of brilliant. Delivered numerous times at the Markex Conference in Cape Town, had another Braai with Wolfgang - rumours were that the stadium for the 2011 World Cup may not have been finished so they had Wolfgang's house and garden as back up!!!

The Wolfman - Get Well Soon Mate!!

I toured Cape Town had hake n chips with Tim Keys and of course a meal at the gay burger bar Beefcakes with Ryan, Shelley and Marilyn - could you imagine a Brokeback Burger? or if you fancied something else how about an 'All Gay Breakfast'?

The second week took me to the Drakensburg (and you thought the Lake District was impressive!!) Enroute to a 5 hour drive to the conference for Harcourts, we stopped off at SpionKop, the incredible point in which the British suffered terrible casualties 100 years before. Sir Winston Churchill was a reporter on top of the kop and Gandhi was one of the stretcher bearers taking the wounded off the hill. Quite a breathtaking place which I am guessing not many people from Boldon have been too?

On top of Spionkop - the silence was deafening!

September - 'Knickers, Bras, Braiis & Nissan Main Dealer Part 2'
A crazy month if ever there was one! Started off with a keynote and master class for Gateshead Council and from this the Marketing Hotseat Challenge was officially rolled out. This is where the audience literally go away with a pocket full of marketing ideas just for them!! One example was for Tallulah Love who created a fantastic viral campaign on the back of this talk and the with models in lingerie on the Millennium Bridge, Newcastle caused a pr stir for her brand during the Turner Prize!! well done Michelle! www.tallulahlove.com

You guessed it - back to SA for the final time this year and spoke at the impressive Coca Dome (There was no coke to be drunk in the sponsors lounge! doh!) I spoke to many start up businesses and also spoke to over 100 pupils from a local business school - and honour and a privilege.

Later that day I meet up with Gary Bailey ex-England and Man U Goalkeeper and someone I had many panini swaps for 20 years ago! A great guy and just the best afternoon was spent listening to stories alongside Gerry Skerrit (aka the funniest man on planet earth) and Paul McConnon - what a team!

A New Panini Sticker Album?

Two speakers I would strongly advise you to see are Hamish Taylor and Miles Hilton-Barber - we worked together at Angle's 'Don't Be A Dodo' conference in Lincoln. Harriet Ennis and Helen Peake - event organisers supreme!

October 'Sage n Cornish Cream'
I said it last year and I'll say it again, the SageWorld Conferences take some beating!!! The stands, support, goody bags, av, staging, networking, speakers, break out sessions and everything in-between make this the must go to event in the UK!!!!!! I loved returning for the second year to do two different talks. Great to work with the Sage team and to watch Andy Lopata, Jo Malone and Simon Calver to name but a few. All of these videos are on YouTube so feel free to catch up with a cuppa!

After SageWorld in Manchester it was down to Cornwall to deliver for Visit Cornwall at the magnificent Eden Project. I hadn't done the 8 hour train journey since I was a child. This event came from a referral from Pat Smith a member of the audience when I last spoke in St Austell some 3 years ago, and I had the pleasure of staying with her and the amazing Bosinver Cottages - if you're reading this and have a family or know of a family take a look at the best self catering accommodation I have ever seen! www.bosinver.co.uk

The main PSA Convention was held this month and a special mention must go to John Hotowka aka new brand name 'Magic John' what a performance and the standing ovation was so well deserved. it was great that the rest of our mastermind group were there to share it with him (Ayd Instone, Jem Nicolas, Andy Lopata, Richard McCann & Amanda Clarke).

November - E.T The Capitals Of Scotland and Iran!

From Edinburgh to Tehran in 24 hours was the start of a memorable month. I kicked off a 3 day conference in Edinburgh - only sorry I could not have stayed to see Michelle Mone keynote a couple of days later.

Then it was back to Iran for my third year running and a host of crazy stories and memories await..... On the flight to Heathrow was Robson Green and Alan Shearer (he had a man bag ye know) I was praying we'd be safe as any crash would have meant not a jot of publicity for me!!!!

Got into Tehran at 1.30am and to cut a long crazy story short I spent 8 hours in the back of a broken taxi en route to deliver 2x 90 min talks in the beautiful city of Yazd, and here are my executive chauffeurs next to the broken down vehicle!!!!

Fred N Barnies Crazy Yazd Cabs!

I arrived in Yazd, got changed in a hotel room last seen in Middle Earth, and I met up with Sepehr Tarvardian, George Torok and Mike Ogilvie. Working with these friends / professionals was such a laugh and we bounced off each other for the next 10 days - Magic - It was great to be back!

Rugs, Rice, 50 year old jet planes, Trophies, Award Dinners, Kebabs, Bavaria, Crazy Drivers, all Google key word search terms for Iran.

Could you imagine walking down the main street and then seeing your own face?? Surreal isn't it.

As part of the closing ceremonies at each of the 4 conferences the sponsors present you with trophies – these may be made of plastic and wood but to me they mean so much more and are a lasting memento of the tour.

I was awarded two Persian rugs for winning the best speaker prize as voted for by the audience. Although we arrive individually we all work as a close knit team to bring the best out of each other for the audience. It is an honour and a feeling of great pride that I have these rugs but I also accept them on behalf of everyone.

Lesley Everett, Shaun Smith, Mike Ogilvie, George Torok, Barnaby Wynter, Martin Butler and John Goodman was the line up for the World Advertising Forum 3 in Tehran - proud to work with you all.

2011 Highlights
There are simply way too many to mention, but here are a few... Iran, Sepehr Tarvardian, Voted best speaker again in Yazd and Tehran, 4 speaking trips to South Africa, Voted in as PSA UK President for 2013, gaining my Fellowship, speaking alongside Michael Jackson and all my USB pals and working with Paul and Marilyn at USB, working alongside and learning so much from Mike Ogilvie, George Torok, Lesley Everett (my fab mentor) Shaun Smith, SageWorld, and for every audience member who took the time to write, email or message me - thank you.

2011 Lowlights
Well there are two that are linked really. Firstly my great speaker friend Clive Gott passed away this year. We last met up last Christmas to chew the fat I still have the emails of encouragement and support from him saved on my pc. For the first time in my life I did not want to speak on stage but I did to say a few minutes about him at the PSA Convention, I can't remember what I said but was proud to do it for him.

Secondly Clive used to talk about Authenticity and Integrity and yet if I come across one more person claiming that the crumpled up flyer marketing idea/story is theirs they will be eating it!!! I have been tipped off many times that this marketing story is being used by others and yet no credit is given back to me. Now Clive would be saying just smile and let them get on with it - you and I know the truth. In that case this rant is over and keep smiling.

Through the beauty of blogs and YouTube his inspiration will live on so please take time to click here and watch Clive at his best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9eCI3UqtM8

So What's In Store for 2012????
Well The Great Event is coming to South Shields on the 2.4.12 to celebrate my 10 years in business. I have brought together the people who have inspired me over the years to take to the stage with me at the Customs House to 400 entrepreneurs and businesses. Michael Jackson is flying in from South Africa just for this event! Richard McCann will deliver his incredible life story and Secret Millionaire Kevin Morley completes the line up.

Every penny from ticket sales will go to the Bubble Appeal, Newcastle for babies who are born with no immune systems.

Massive thanks to all the sponsors especially the main event sponsors SAGE for helping this to happen.

Tickets are now on sale at the Box Office (0191) 4541234

As 2011 draws to a close I just want to say thanks to everyone I have worked with and spoken to. Here are a few last minute stocking fillers for you and wishing you continued success for 2012.

Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker

Must buy books for this Christmas, Easter and for your summer holidays!

Recommended by Andy Lopata

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recommended-Through-Networking-Referrals-Financial/dp/0273757962/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323894907&sr=1-1

Mr Moon has left the stadium by Jem Nicolas

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Moon-Has-Left-Stadium/dp/1849541299/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323894941&sr=1-1

The Presentation Coach by Graham Davies

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Presentation-Coach-Knuckle-Brilliance-Presenter/dp/085708044X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323894972&sr=1-1

Battered Into Submission 'Iam Not Loving It'

2011-05-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

Well this Observational Marketing blog is brought to you under an ash cloud of a super injunction, as uunfortunately Iam unable to tell you the name of the fish and chip restaurant in question.

Saturday night I was driving along and an advert came on the radio promoting a local fish and chip restaurant. They were celebrating so many years in business and they even advertised a great offer to tempt customers into their brand new restaurant. It gets better, they have even hired a north east celebrity to voice over the ad!!! So what's the problem Geoff?

The problem is would you ever promote your nearest and deadliest rivals in your own advert??

Of course not but what happened next was priceless.

Towards the end of the commercial the address is read out and just to help you remember where it is they say.... "and we are right opposite McDonalds"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come ON!!!!!!!!!

Don't know about you but I am off for a McDonalds Milkshake!

RAMM IN IRAN II - DVD Now On Sale

2011-03-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

Title: RAMM IN IRAN II

Price: £25 inc FREE post and packing

Running Time: 2 hours
Order Here: http://www.geofframm.com/marketing-books.asp

Well here it is.....the Exclusive Double-Keynote DVD of the talks that opened and closed the World Advertising Forum in Tehran, October 2010.

"So here I was standing on the edge of the main platform at 8.10pm ready to deliver the very final keynote of an amazing two week tour. In that exact moment I have never felt so relaxed and yet highly charged to deliver and I had still to decide how I was going to open!

As I walked on stage everyone stood up to give me a standing ovation (BEFORE I HAD STARTED!!!!) the room was electric and for the next hour I can honestly say this is one keynote I will never forget.

This 2 hour long dvd is full of observational stories and ideas including; Chase The Ace, Easy on The Eye, Surprise Me, Figure it Out, From Me to You, Fusion Marketing and Epinay Must Stay.

Enjoy watching and I hope you take some inspiration away to stand out from the crowd!

Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker, http://www.geofframm.com/

"On the pitch he is so motivational, thought provoking and inspirational. He has some of the best marketing stories any audience has ever heard. Off pitch, he is humble and funny. He is a superstar" Sepehr Tarvardian, Hamayesh Farazan Co.

"Geoff Ramm illuminates a conference stage with simplicity and sincerity. Watching his mind work and fire up delegates is a rare pleasure". Michael Jackson, theothermichaeljackson.com

"Geoff you were better than Billy and Kay mate. Was great to see someone who was such a master of an audience at work. Brilliant speaker". Chris Arnold, Creative Orchestra

The Tunnel of Marketing Love!!!!!

2011-03-05T03:11:00.000-08:00

Is it just me sitting here in my Observational Marketing World thinking that North and South Tyneside Councils are missing a great marketing opportunity here??

Just recently the second Tyne Tunnel has opened whilst the original is being revamped. Now councils are feeling the pinch and businesses are feeling a greater pinch and yet there is a quite obvious marketing solution.

Ob Marketing Idea #1

Sell the naming rights to the two tunnels!!!!! Football stadiums have done this with the Emirates and the Ricoh so why not the Tyne Tunnels? You can't tell me there is not a car insurance, car manufacturer or car breakdown service out there that would not love the opportunity to promote to thousands of motorists every second of the day?????

Historically the only piece of marketing taking place around the tunnel are billboards and frankly its the most unimaginative form of advertising going when you pull up to the toll booth!

"When creativity meets opportunity - great marketing occurs" Geoff Ramm 2011

Ob Marketing Idea #2

With the money raised from selling the naming rights some £ can go into the council coffers but some should be reinvested to help local businesses, and here's how I would do it. At the north and south entrances large scale posters would promote the local area Northumberland, South Shields and the great coastline. As well as a large scale poster promoting the areas another poster should be displayed to promote local small businesses (BTW - this would be free due to the amount made on the naming rights) A tunnel lottery could take place to pick businesses from a hat and give them a free weeks advertising!!! By my maths that's 104 happy businesses and as the Meercats would say Simples!

If you know of anyone in the council or Tyne Tunnel 2 please feel free to pass this suggestion on. The Government said it will be the private sector who will dig us out of the recession so here's my shovels worth.

Oh and before I go - NEVER let this idea turn into a drag boring exercise......cos This Is What I Call Marketing!

Enjoy going through the Swift Cover Tunnel and drive back through Sheila's Wheels!

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker

http://www.geofframm.com/

TOP SECRET A View From Inside The Ladies Toilets!

2011-02-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

I have just finished a 'Sell Out' mini speaking tour of the East Midlands for EMB Ltd and I am delighted to say creativity and opportunity are rife!!!!

I was asked to open the Fast Track to Sales & Marketing Success events with a one hour keynote to over 500 businesses in Kettering, Kegworth, Grantham and Chesterfield followed by some great workshops by Kate Betts, John Egley and Chris Billington-Hughes.

Before I share my observations I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Anna O'Kane and her events team who were again superb in their pre, during and post event organising - a real pleasure to work with them all yet again!

I started the keynote with one of my Year of Creativity stories and as I was back in the area I spoke about the Big Issue Seller in Nottingham. I then went onto talk about Chase the Ace (how to make your card the best in the room) and Free & Easy (simple tactics to get your business out there without diluting your brand) I then closed with the Figure It Out section with the Green Flag poster I observed over the hand dryer in Nottingham city centre 2 years ago.

Straight after me and onto the break where apparently there was quite a buzz in the ladies toilet. Jo, one of the events team came out and said 'You've gotta see this - everyone is taking your ideas and putting them into practice right now" and then she showed me a picture of what was happening in the ladies loo!

Hats off to Alison, Fiona and Beverley for their creativity and for spotting this opportunity.

And talking of Beverley, she emailed me the other day to say that at a recent networking event she decided to give something away Free & Easy - she produced 6 free vouchers for one-to-one coaching to the first 6 people to approach her!!! Great idea, creative and lets hope business will grow from this opportunity.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking in the East Midlands, this was my 12th talk in the last few years, and I hope I'll be back soon.

Thanks to everyone who came along and happy marketing.

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
http://www.geofframm.com/

'Now That's What I Call Christmas Marketing'

2010-12-03T03:02:00.000-08:00

Seasons greetings one and all, and to help your marketing through the festive season here are my top tips and techniques for December;

1. Chrimbo Pressies

I appreciate times may well be tough this year but how many of us actually 'thank' our clients and customers with a thoughtful gift? You may not be able to give a gift to every single customer but let's just take your top 10%. Now could you re-invest a portion of the time and money they have given you this year into a special creative gift? Over the years I have sent, plants, lottery tickets, giant cookies and my favourite business books I've read in the year.

2. Chrimbo Cards

For many years they were the most popular way to say Merry Christmas, but having observed the increase in email cards and postage costs the amount of traditional cards being sent has drastically declined over the past few years. I don't know about you but I keep a Christmas card on my desk for a full month whereas I open and delete a email card in seconds.

So how can you increase your marketing visibility with a traditional card? First of all you must ensure your brand is on the front and not inside. Secondly send your cards out in this the first week, giving them 3/4 weeks of exposure!

Oh, and one final tip - please do not digitally sign off your cards. If you can't be bothered to sign your own to a client or customer then don't bother sending at all.

3. Chrimbo Clean

Now we all seem to drag the settee and chairs into the middle of the room so we can polish the skirting boards and hoover the house from top to bottom - and then we all decide to bring in the dirtiest wettest tree on earth into our homes! But this is not the Chrimbo clean I am talking about here.

Simply call up your clients and customers and whilst you are wishing them a Merry Christmas check there contact details thereby helping to cleanse your database. How many duplicate pieces of mail have you received this year? I have numerous that I bring out during keynotes to show the audience - two of my favourite doubles are from a car dealership and believe it or not I was sent an invite to a recent marketing event!!! Doh! This is such a waste of time and money so by cleaning your data you will start the new year ready to roll out your promotional / service messages.

4. Christmas Paper (and media)

December is a great time of year to send out your news releases! I have friends in the media that tell me towards the end of the year they receive less and less stories as larger pr firms and companies are not sending as much in as it is a traditional wind down time in the pr industry! So come on....the TV, radio and press are still running their programmes and publications so what great, creative news stories could you send them??

Best wishes and Happy Christmas Marketing everyone,

Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker, http://www.geofframm.com/

All of these ideas and much more can be read in the Marketing Takeaway and Marketing Takeaway 2 books. Special offer 2 for £15 plus free P&P.

www.geofframm.com/marketing-books.asp

A Year In The Life Of A Marketing Speaker

2010-11-29T04:19:00.000-08:00

I have neglected my blogs for sooo long now its a wonder I could remember my password. So with 15 inches of snow making my Rammobile immovable its time for a long overdue blog of blogs and a years snapshot look at my speaking calendar and observations all rolled into one!

What you are about to read is an account of what has happened in the past 12 months, a selection of the people I've learnt so much from and who I've had the pleasure of working alongside.

November 2009 RAMM IN IRAN (around tea time)

I landed in Tehran, Iran to speak at the World Advertisement Forum. People say 'get out your comfort zone' omg I could not see mine for chicken kebab and rice!

I spoke to 2,000 businesses and entrepreneurs and have never felt more anxious and excited, knowing that my material goes down great in the UK is one thing but what about Persia? The show started with Michael Jackson - no not that one but thee Michael Jackson http://www.theothermichaeljackson.com/ Quite simply I've never seen someone quite connect with an audience the way he did. An amazing speaker a truly great guy who became the Yoda to my Luke Skywalker for that week. Chris Ward, Chris Roycroft-Davis, David Saxby and George Torok made the full line up. But there are two other people I need to mention here.... Mike Ogilvie via the Professional Speakers Association who recommended me to Sepehr Tarvardian - a speaker, entrepreneur, the guy who booked me to come to Iran, but most of all a good friend.

Winning the 'Best Speaker' award voted for by the audience was a feeling I can simply not put down in this blog but it is safe to say that this was an amazing moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

December 2009 BACK TO SCHOOL

I started working with the great people at Epinay Enterprise School on their branding, promotions, mailers and pr for their cafe, jewellery and organic garden - but there is more to tell you about this school much later in the blog....

January 2010 LOCAL DELIVERY

Many regional talks were delivered in this month including Service Network (The Great Marketing Outdoors) which was my brand new keynote written on the plane back from Tehran. I also spoke for Entrust and speaking to pre start ups is a great honour. Jonathan Dowden from Entrust is one of thee most passionate and enthusiastic people for enterprise - if you are starting out seek him out!

February 2010 SOUTH LAKES

This month I spent a lot of time in Barrow and Ulverston both speaking and consulting. I've met some great people over there with very creative ideas and its a pleasure to work with Val Robinson and the team at Furness Enterprise.

March 2010 CHARTERED & FAST TRACK TO BOARD

Keynoted for the Chartered Institute of Marketing at a full house in Durham City alongside the guys from Better Brand Agency - wot they don't know about social media ain't worth knowing. Also invited to attend my very first PSA board meeting in London - me a member of a board!! Thanks also to the staff at Costa Coffee at Durham train station at 5.30am for one being open, two being happy and three defrosting everyone!

April 2010 ITS WHY IAM EASY, EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING!

Spoke alongside my mate Clive Gott for the ISMM in Newcastle. So... Clive comes on and is being drowned out by Lionel Ritchie music in the background..... 1 minute later he lets fly with perfect timing during the song. For those of you who have not seen it I will not spoil what he does, but mark my words its one of the best keynote openings ever!!!!!

May 2010 THATCHER & MAJOR

Re-united with Chris Roycroft-Davis for the first time since our Iran tour. Stayed overnight at Casa Davis with his lovely family before speaking at the PSA London (on FA Cup Final day) on the Saturday and if you don't know Chris he's a pr master and script writer who has worked with some pretty big people - around the walls are pics of him with Margaret Thatcher, John Major etc etc. I would highly recommend his book too 'Heads You Win'.

June 2010 LET'S TALK

Family hols in Spain and another 4 stories for my keynotes. This month saw me speak on behalf of Barclays at their Let's Talk marketing events. Sunderland (no need for hotel for once) Hull and Preston were the 3 I delivered but the most important thing for me has been the emails and mail bag of actions and successes from the audience. Let's be honest its always nice to receive positives on feedback forms but what I love most is when businesses have put the ideas into their business and they have succeeded from them!!!

July 2010 I'VE STARTED SO I'LL FINISH

This month was the birth of my first mastermind group 'The League of Extraordinary Speakers' with myself, Andy Lopata, Rod Sloane, Jeremy Nicolas, John Hotowka, Ayd Instone and Richard McCann. My quest for 2011 - Now That's What I Call Marketing - The BOOK and to speak in 4 countries excluding Wales & Scotland per year! Oh and I received a call from Sepehr.......................

August 2010 CHAMBER MADE

This month was the start of 3 volumes of Now That's What I Call Marketing in the North East. I find every Chamber is very proactive in helping their members to network and build their business so a big thank you to Cheryl McCarrick and the NECC team.

September 2010 SAGE & STUFFED WITH SPEAKERS

This month was to see me present at the Sage World Conference in Telford. Without doubt the best set up for the audience and speakers I've seen in the UK. This was a vast arena to fill but with speakers like Andy Lopata, Casper Berry, Will King and Karren Brady there was a great buzz to the two day event. In case you missed them, all of the speakers can be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/sageworldevent/

Two things to note here - 1. Everyone who works at Sage is called Jo or Joanne and 2. This fantastic event was all about helping businesses and entrepreneurs - there were no order books, tills or salespeople in sight!

October 2010 SCORING GOALS & IRAN BECKONS
Now this was a busy month... on the 1st October a goal from 2 years ago hit the back of the net! I spoke at the PSA UK convention in Marlow to over 100 of my fellow speakers from all over the world. 2 years prior at my first convention I had said to Clive Gott 'I would love to one day speak main stage at the convention', his reply 'Just make sure you are ready'. In all honesty and this is for up and coming speakers out there if I had of spoke a year later I would not have done it justice, but having experienced Iran I felt ready more than I had ever been.

I had not envisaged that just 2 years on I could have been fast tracked onto the main platform, but what happened next will forever live with me. As I was closing and uttered my final words, Roger Harrop shot out of his seat (I thought he was off to the bathroom) and he just stood there and clapped. Others followed and very soon I had received my very first standing ovation. Now I am not a motivational speaker or an inspirational speaker with an amazing story to tell, so this type of thing is never going to happen to me, but wow! what a feeling, and would I ever feel like this again?? not on your nellie! As I left the stage I was swamped with handshakes, a Marlow mat, hugs and kisses - and yes I even got a smacker from Mr Braveheart himself Mr Kenny Harris!

One last mention on the convention. I met a great guy Wolfgang Riebe who is the President of the PSA in South Africa, he came up to me and and I quote 'There's a keynote with your name on it in Cape Town next year if you want it?' So there is one of my four countries ticked off for 2011. (Hope to see Mr Jackson at somepoint too).

This month I also spoke for Hadrian's Wall Heritage - I have a love for Roman history (my other business is called Mercury) so to combine this with helping businesses along the wall to market themselves is a dream gig! Thanks to Julie Sloan and the team and congratulations on winning best tourist attraction for illuminating the wall this year - now that's large scale creativity!

October was also the month of the Doncaster Chamber Showcase event. Having been asked to come back this year I delivered a host of new material for this years audience but what really took me was the quality of the exhibition stands, especially the newly start up companies - great passion and creativity and who'd have thought you could make a motorbike out of balloons! To Nikki and the Donny Chamber team thanks for making me feel so welcome and for putting me in the best hotel room in the UK!

Oh and what about Epinay Enterprise School? Well for the past few months I had been working with them to stop them from being bulldozed! This Outstanding Ofsted awarded school was under severe threat of closure from the local council. So the marketing plan was to create a viral YouTube video and to seek viewers from all over the world to lend their support as a online viral campaign. You can view the video by typing Epinay Must Stay into http://www.youtube.com/ I then poured fuel on the online fire and generated pr coverage on BBC, ITV, BBC Radio, Gazette and Chronicle! In the last week of October I received a voice mail from Sandra at Epinay to say they had word that the school had been saved. As long as I live there will be no marketing campaign that will come close to the feeling of saving 108 children from having their school closed!"

So I am sitting having a Stella in the business lounge at Terminal 5 with the first marketing director of EasyJet Tony Anderson and Creative Orchestra's Chris Arnold and the return journey begins. Now so many of the other speakers have written some great blogs and thoughts about the trip to Iran so here is my condensed version... Firstly the western media have it WRONG this is a amazing country with beautiful people - end of! . I arrived at Tehran airport and was met by Sepehr and then checked into Hotel Jamm - I say hotel its like having your own 5 star house. We met with Kim Walker over breakfast and later that day headed off to Yasd City - only a 40 minute car journey through 4.9 billion cars during rush hour and Sepehrs impression of James Bond on speed kicks in.

The fantastic five as we were later known kicked off the tour in this great city and were treat like royalty. We had such a great time and many stories and anecdotes will be shared in the coming years. We then flew to Mashhad and had the fabulous experience of visiting the shrine of Imman - breathtaking.

to be continued..... well to the next paragraph.

Movember 2010 RAMM IN IRAN II
No I did not grow my tash this month but I love the concept and the visual awareness of this campaign - well done to Mike Pagan though and maybe next year for me!

Back in Iran and we all spoke in Karaj and were quickly joined by Alan Fairington, Tina Catling, Mark Davies and Leslie DeChertony.

Now it was time for the BIG one - the World Advertising Forum 2, the event which changed me 12 months ago. As a speaker I say there are 3 honours one is being re-booked for the following year, the second is being asked to open a conference and the third is being asked to close it (I received a hat-trick of honors).

Day One in the BIG IRAN House: Got off to a flying start quite literally, Leslie was jumping off the stage (honestly he was!) Mark got his Man U scarf out, Tina had a great bag of tricks, Alan shared how he masterminded the Qatar Airways brand, Chris was giving his Ethical marketing books away, Tony was trying to Stop Go Starting and Kim was helping a blind man in a park on a beautiful Spring morning.

Day Two in the BIG IRAN House: Second day was a cracker, everyone delivered, the audience were on a real high and we were due to close at 6.30pm. The one thing they do in Iran which is very different to the UK is they have awards at the end of the event where the sponsors and audience are thanked with gifts. Kim Walkered away with the rug after his two talks - he was tremendous. At 6.00pm we started the awards and by 8.00pm we had finished - oh and I forgot to mention I had not delivered my 2nd keynote yet!!

So here I was standing by the edge of the main platform ready to deliver the final talk of the tour.

In that moment I have never been so relaxed and highly charged and I had no idea how I was going to open. I walked onto the stage and everyone started whooping, cheering and clapping. Now I could tell you every ounce of detail of what I said and did in that last hour but I would be typing until the snow melted here in the North East. And as I closed the 'nellie' moment happened again and hundreds stood up - words will never describe.

Hand on heart I have never spoke like it.

For me this one hour was one I shall never forget. All of the knowledge and experience gained over this past year just fell into place. Had I not joined the PSA, had Mike Ogilvie not recommended me, had Sepehr not took a chance on me last year, and had I not met thee Michael Jackson none of this would have been possible.

My advice to everyone reading this blog would be to take every opportunity coming your way in 2011 as you just never know where it could take you.

Best Wishes, take care in this weather & Happy Marketing,

Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker, http://www.geofframm.com/

Elect Your Marketing Champion

2010-05-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

With only hours to go until the polling booths open I thought I'd share a few Observational Marketing thoughts which may just plant a seed or two on how you can become elected as a great marketing champion!

Suck It & See
For the past 3 elections Thorntons have provided us with much amusement and in the process have gained fabulous media coverage. Can you remember when they produced three lollipops shaped into the heads of the 3 main party leaders? And they would then issue a news release stating which party would win, due to the sales of each?? As a child I remember this great technique - but sadly 2010 has not seen a revival of this suck it and see technique, ah well maybe in a few years time..

Are All Tories Farmers?
I have the pleasure of working with some brilliant businesses in Barrow and Ulverston and on my journey across the A66 I have the following Outdoor Marketing result for you... Conservatives 18, Labour 1, Lib Dems 0. There are 18 Tory Vote For Change posters lining the fields only 1 Labour and the Lib Dems apparently do not need to bother!!! On a long jounrney home all you can think of is these posters! Marketing masters?? we'll have to wait and see.

And finally, "Vote Hay"
On this same A66 journey I also happened to pass by a great piece of Outdoor Marketing. Every so often Mainsgill farm and farmshop decorate their fields and in the process grab drivers attention. This is Brilliant! This is Marketing! This is Mainsgill ladies & gentlemen.....

Get Ready...It's Coming...Are You Ready?

2010-04-13T23:55:00.000-07:00

Every 4 years the world goes into a football frenzy. This year sees the greatest tournamnet on earth land in the amazing country of South Africa. Cue global companies competing for our attention with elaborate promotions and adverts (and yes I am sure Mr Beckham will also feature but maybe in a Bupa promotion perhaps!)

My marketing philosopy is you never need the budgets of the Nike's and Coke's of this world to take advantage of these huge marketing opportunities, but you need to ask yourself "What can my business do to embrace the World Cup?" (and not just bunting - remember everyone will have this!)

Ideas could include;

Garden Centres - Create the worlds smallest football pitch! gain great pr and then auction it off for charity.

Cake Decorators - strips and teams decorated? more elaborate stadium designs perhaps?

And for just about everyone else you could provide giveaways, competitions (Free TV when you spend £.... or England Football Shirt to the first 20 customers)

Whatever you do think creative, think now and bring your ideas into a month long campaign in June.

Before I go here is how Travelodge are embracing the 2010 World Cup.

Look closely and you will see they are promoting hotels in city's where you can take a tour of your favourite stadium, they are also promoting staying near the Scottish football museum in Glasgow, going to South Africa? - stay in one of our airport hotels on your way there, plus if you don't like football there are other locations for a break in June!!!!!!! And of course they've used their database and sent this message out with a prompt to pass onto friends and to join social networks.

C'mon what can you do???? Please email me with your ideas and campaigns.

Till next time, happy marketing.

Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker

http://www.geofframm.com/

Teddy's & Jelly Worms

2010-03-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever visited a Ted Baker store?

Like baby bears porridge, of all the high street stores they always seem to have their customer service and sales teams just right! i.e not being pushy but very very helpful.

For years now I've shopped at various TB stores and they are all the same - consistently great but Sundays experience was prpobably one of the best and I left with a smile of my face and a bag of products! From the guy helping me with the sizes and showing me the new ranges to the brilliant girl on the till - who also commented on my purchases (n.b compliment = profits) and then just at the last minute offered me................wait for it ................... a bag of Jelly Worms!

And here they are.....

Well done Ted Baker - hope you read this as your staff deserve a Big Hug (As Jack Mitchell would say).

Do tell me your great customer service experiences - especially the Ted Baker ones

All the best

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author

Robbie & Whitney - The Marketing Masters!

2009-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Many Channels = One Launch

So the long running soap opera that is the X Factor has finally come to an end, with this years Christmas No.1 becoming more of a victory for viral marketing rather than the traditional fayre of pr, TV and radio.

However, this particular viewpoint is not about the power of viral v TV, radio or press, it is about the way in which businesses both new and established can learn from how a brand builds up to promote itself and looks to launch with immediate sales.

Cast your minds back a few weeks ago when it was announced that Robbie and Whitney were coming soon to the X Factor..........

1. Cue Dermot 'Ladies and Gentlemen next week the one and only Robbie Williams / Whitney Houston will be here performing live' Wow the great comeback!

2. Great word of mouth spread and the pr and media bandwagon begins to roll. Anticipation sets in.

3. Saturday X Factor show - First glimpse of the two stars emerge to help and coach the finalists ready for their Saturday live show.

4. TV adverts start promoting the FREE Robbie CD in the Mail on Sunday.

5. Sunday Results Time! Robbie and Whitney perform live to the X Factor crowd and the millions watching at home. Cue Dermot 'So when is the single out then? Answer - You can buy it / download it from tomorrow!

Whether you love or hate the show this marketing formula has been successfully tried and tested with the X Factor for many years. So how can you take this strategy and build it into your own business for the coming year?

Here is the breakdown;

The Tease - tell people what's coming (direct mail, face book, posters, adverts etc)

The Spread - if it sounds great or exciting then people may spread the promotion for you!

The Glimpse - can I see the product or service in action - maybe a video or images?

The FREEBIE - what could you give away to entice people to purchase? Is there any better example of this than a Free IPhone App??

The Tell - You've teased, spread the word, gave people the opportunity to view, smell, touch, you have given them a freebie sample and then you have promoted it to your target audience, now tell them when they can get it and from where!

The key to this strategy as you now know is to use multiple channels to launch and promote, so for your next launch I hope you can take away a couple of the Robbie & Whitney ideas.

And finally, from a personal point of view and thanks to Joe it is great to see the place where I was born - South Shields firmly in the media spotlight!!!!

So with that "Go Joe" and "Go every business for 2010".

Best wishes, have a great Christmas and happy marketing.

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker, Marketeer & Author

http://www.geofframm.com/

What do you mean "Quality"

2009-10-17T03:01:00.000-07:00

Quality Service, Quality Products, Quality After Sales, Highest Quality At All Times.....Quality, Quality blah, blah, blah.

What do companies really mean when they talk up and promote their 'Quality'?

Just about every business out there will mention the magical Q word but to successfully communicate this in the customers mind they need to demonstrate the reasons for their quality and expand on their quality claims!

I was recently asked to speak at the Bentley HQ in Crewe, England. After the keynote the audience and I were taken on a factory tour to see how one of the worlds greatest vehicles was put together.

I was blown away with the attention to detail of the wood, the polish, the hide and just about every attention to detail that goes into the car. But the one thing that stood out for me was the level and ability for each car to be personalised.

Here are some examples;

- Any colour can be matched! Including the colours of your logos, lipstick, hair colour.

- The stitching on the steering wheel can be changed every 2 inches!

- The list is endless but here's another spin on the Quality Brand........................

- The tour guides were brilliant, funny, approachable (and proud to be there)

- The workers came off the line to talk to us and to tell us what they did (and how proud they all sounded and looked to be a part of Bentley).

And finally.... In the afternoon I had the privilege of taking a £130k Bentley out for a test drive - the car was awesome, but..... Bob Wiley a retired advanced driving instructor was great! Not only did he talk about the car but asked about me and my business, what I did - and generally took a great interest.

Quality! What is it? Do you live it (from design to personalisation through to the people that promote it). If you need some help in defining your quality brand go and visit the Bentley factory and take a tour.

And if you think your business is 'Personalised' read on;

Taken from the BBC Sport website:

The Man City midfielder Stephen Ireland splashed out £260,000 on a gleaming white Bentley for Jessica Lawlor, complete with full boy-racer makeover, which included changing the famous 'B' insignia to 'JL' and having a loveheart stitched into the driver's seat containing the message 'To Jess Love From Stephen'. Aaaahh.

FREE Event - Doncaster Racecourse 1st Sept / 3rd Sept

2009-07-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

DN Business Expo9 is Doncaster's premier business exhibition - delivered by business for business.

Its your chance to find new customers and suppliers, gain valuable business contacts, learn from industry experts and fins out about local business opportunities.

This event is FREE to attend, for full details go to http://www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk/

List of Speakers;

1st September - Wayne Hemingway

2nd September - Will Whitehorn (Virgin Galactic)

3rd September - Nick Hewer (Alan Sugar's right hand man - The Apprentice)

3rd September - Geoff Ramm, Marketing Speaker

Airline Takes A Trip To A&E

2009-07-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Further proof that if we do not deliver exceptional (or sometimes even adequate customer service) companies are only ever a blog, post or upload away from a pr trip to A&E!

This amazing customer service story made into a song by Dave Carroll is fast travelling the social networks (including mine) and has also featured on national radio stations!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

Marketing Michael - Part One

2009-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

How do you promote and sell one of England's greatest strikers?

Do you keep your fingers crossed that something will just happen in the close season? or do you 'push' and do something new and innovative to the industry?

As you may have read, heard or viewed the management team behind Newcastle United's Michael Owen produced a promotional brochure and sent it to every club in the premier league, promoting their prized asset.

The result has been a pr dream, every paper, radio station and news channel have covered the story - some say a desperate move, but I would say great marketing!

Although agents and parents will send videos and clips of their young up and coming players to clubs football, pundits say a tactic like this has never been done before for such a well known name as Michael Owen.

Small businesses can learn from this activity, as I've previously mentioned 'When you know where your customers/clients are, go straight for them' and brochures are a great tool! (Just hope they make that follow up call!)

Throughout the brochure they not only promote the hard facts e.g. Michael's goals per game, but they sell the idea that the club will make money from the signing via Michael's 'brand values' and stating that this is an 'Opportunity' to succeed!

Next season's prediction. Michael will be back in the Premier League (or the equivalent abroad) and football stars of the 09-10 season who find themselves relegated my just be visiting their local printers! .

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author

www.geofframm.com

The Lion Goes From Strength to Strength.....

2009-06-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a purchase and then immediately thought to yourself 'Have I done right?' 'Did I make the right decision?' and the larger the purchase the bigger the question mark hangs in front of you!

Take buying a car for example; you've had the test drive, its the colour you want but its still a big purchase decision.

On a recent expedition to Peugeot the sales manager came back with the order form to sign, and once we'd signed it he said 'And I'll make sure there's a cuddly toy lion in the car for the little one!!'

We left the dealership knowing we had made the right decision to come here. Great! and thanks to Dave Banks of Richard Hardie Peugeot for adding that little extra to the sale.

People sometimes ask 'When should after service start?' and the simple answer is 'Within 2 seconds'.

So how do you ensure your customer or client leaves you knowing they've made the right decision? Simple, you offer them a little extra or a token gesture to say thanks!

Has this happened to you? if so do comment here.

Cheers,

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
http://www.geofframm.com/

Bloomin Brilliant Barclays

2009-06-15T02:24:00.000-07:00

Just about every bank has taken a negative pr punch or two over the last year.

But here's a great piece of positive pr from my observational marketing world and poof that customer service is at the front of one of the countries biggest brands.

We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Friday and the doorbell rang with the florist delivering the flowers (see pic). They were from my managers at Barclays Bank - fantastic, and very much a great surprise!!!!

However, this is not an isolated incident...... When our daughter was born we received a bouquet and when Mercury Marketing turned 5 years old I received a bottle of champagne.

For all the negative banking pr around, including charges, lending etc etc etc - this truly is service and marketing at its best.

Anyone else have great gifts from banks?? (pens and keyrings don't count)

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker

www.geofframm.com

In Brands We Trust

2009-05-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

When the world is in state of flux people hold onto their pennies and take no risks!

SO what would make consumers dip into their pockets? a safe bet perhaps?

In times like these consumers want the simple things, the things that make them feel safe in their purchase and warm inside (squidgy I know!).

You may have noticed that advertisers are staring to bring a sense of calm to their adverts and show the country that they can be trusted with our pennies.

The recent adverts for Hovis and M&S are prime examples of tried and trusted brands which people have trusted over the years and will continue to do so. Both of these ads show us they have come through the blitz to the millennium bug (and survived!) so a little thing like the 'CC' won't affect them, and should not affect us.

I anyone else has some great examples of adverts like these, do share them.

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker

http://www.geofframm.com/

Pig Sick Of A Viral? Try Paper (not tissue)

2009-05-05T03:08:00.000-07:00

In the time of viral marketing, social media and interactive everything, how do you target everyone you need to reach with the information they need??

Leaflets and mail drops of course! Yes the staple of so many businesses over the years is back! and back with a UK mail drop of some size!!!!!!!!!

Just announced this morning from the BBC......

"Leaflets giving information about swine flu and advice on how to prevent its spread are to start being delivered to all households in the UK later".

Now what are the odds that this material will be a die cut of a pigs head? Maybe something that children would pick up and read and place on the fridge door. My guess it will look the same as every other leaflet you see in a doctors surgery!

Look forward to seeing it very soon.

When you receive it, do leave me your comments.

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
www.geofframm.com

The Temple of Initiative

2009-05-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

Each week I play badminton at the Temple Park Leisure Centre.

Last week I called to book a court. I rang as I was driving and the receptionist answered and I started to talk, she said 'hello', 'hello' I raised my voice.... but she could not hear me. My hands free was not working. She hung up.

10 seconds later, she called back!

'I saw your number so rang you back' she said.

I was amazed and very much impressed by the initiative.

I booked the court, they made the sale - everyone happy!

Has this happened to anyone else??

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
www.geofframm.com

Are Disney Taking The Mickey?

2009-05-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I took my daughter up to the Metro Centre Disney store (we actually waited outside as the shutters rose!)

Now the store is great to look at both inside and out, the staff are very friendly, its easy to view all the products, and there's plenty of choice.

BUT!

When they charge you 5p for a normal carrier bag they are taking the michael mouse!

Tut tut Walt, come on extra charges at the end can leave a bad taste in the consumers mouth.

Geoff Pluto Ramm
Marketing Speaker
www.geofframm.com

Sea, Sand, & Showing Off South Shields

2009-05-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

There are great businesses (who are leaders in their field and who have great service running through their veins) to be found in any village, town or city, but I am especially passionate about my own town, so thought I would share a few with you....

South Shields is the main town in South Tyneside and on a recent trip to the seaside with my wife and daughter we observed and sampled some of the delights....

Colmans - this is an award winning fish n chip shop and the one with the most awards, trophies and accolades to its name (no wonder there's always a queue outside). Inside the awards are displayed for all to see, and they have a great electronic sign which reminds customers of there buying ethics when it comes to fish and fishing (no other chip shop promotes this) USP #1

Minchellas - FAB ice cream (ask our daughter) and they also have amazing Italian restaurants 'Romano's'

Powell & Daughters - in the heart of the fun fair and a must for Doughnuts etc! trust me, I should know!!

South Tyneside Borough Council - THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS I HEAR YOU CRY! Yes but! They are one of the most proactive when it comes to business support and have to be commended for how they have transformed the coast and Marine Park - attracting locals and tourism to boost the local economy.

That's it from Catherine Cookson land, and who knows one day Ridley Scott may make a film hear in South Tyneside to increase our awareness on the world stage (Yes he was born here too).

Show your support for local heroes and traditional businesses who have stayed the test time, write your comments here about your local area - would be great to share!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
www.geofframm.com

Its A Big Issue Being Tom Cruise!

2009-05-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

In between last week's Nottingham and Derby events I went to Nottingham town centre - the mission: to see Brian Cloughs statue!

As a Sunderland fan I know about the statue and wanted to see it and take a pic......

Having received friendly service and directions from a member of staff in Waterstones (thank you) I headed towards the Town Hall area.

On my way there I passed a Big Issue seller (now come on what do they all say????? Big Issue.... Big Issue....) Not this guy.

He shouted out 'There's Tom Cruise' (MEANING ME LOL).

I laughed out loud and said 'Nice One but I don't think so' apart from weight height and looks we are similar but not today!

This put a smile on my face and I was still smiling when I took the picture of the country's greatest ever manager.

On the way back to the car park I walked up the the seller and bought a Big Issue and said 'That's for the comment'.

The morale of the story is this - be different, stand out and people will remember you (they may even smile and give you a sale)

Has anyone else received a funny compliment or comment? Please let me know.

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker, www.geofframm.com

The Pen will always be Mightier than the Sword, Email, Text etc.....

2009-04-29T04:03:00.000-07:00

Having completed 5 fantastic events in the East Midlands for Business Link, I returned back to my office to a HUGE parcel!

Inside there were two catalogues, the biggest pencil you've ever seen, some sweets and the best bit of all....................

a personalised note.

I met Aarti from http://www.extravaganza.uk.com/ at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester event. We briefly spoke before I started my keynote.

She has some fantastic products including many environmental promotional gifts, but its the note that will always live long in the customers memory.

Please Note; personal emails are great, personal texts are fab, but remember there is nothing better than a personalised written note.

Thank you Aarti, hope to return back the the East Midlands in the near future.

Has anyone else received fantastic personalised letters, notes? do share with me and mention the company they were from.

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker

http://www.geofframm.com/

(0191) 5191707

Brand Image V Confidence (Who Wins?)

2009-04-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Okay so pretty much everyone is afraid of the dentist, but my fear runs deeper than a root canal itself!

The old saying people buy people is certainly true but its much more than that, its how that person makes you feel, what they say, how they say it and how sincere they are.

Picture the scene - never been to the dentist in over 8 years, having problems, make a very reluctant appointment.

Walk to the surgery (tatty dirty sign), walk up the stairs (never been decorated in over 20 years) walk into reception (decoration the same if not worse), sat down (every chair was different, TV was poor, magazines were a year old, posters on the walls were poorly designed, and even the solitary plant was looking suicidal). However these marketing observations passed the nerve wracking time I had to wait.

So the brand image was poor, but with a little marketing makeover this place would look fantastic!

Walk into the room and approach 'the chair' Dentist stood up shook my hand and said 'Hello mate what seems to be the problem, have yourself a seat and I'll sort everything for you.

This person was no ordinary dentist - he was a long last mate looking to share a pint!

The confidence he gave me was untrue, I've had to go back 3 times in the past month and I am now sorted! Put the patient (customer) at ease, relate to them, use a calming voice, shake hands before and after (remembered what I did too 'You'll be up and speaking in no time').

Brand Image V Confidence, despite the terrible state of the surgery people buy people, but we really buy the confidence that person gives to you.

Give confidence to your customers, that's who wins!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
www.geofframm.com

Cobra, Coors & High Street Stores

2009-04-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of Sylvestor Stallone and last night I watched (for the 1st time) the 'C, possibly D rated movie' Cobra!

Plenty of cheesy Amercian soft rock tunes in between corny acting and terrible one liners - but hey, it's Stallone!!

So the first piece of action took place in a 'mall' and the amount of products endorsed was untrue - especially Coors (great beer) Pepsi, and so as not to start a cola war Coca Cola were all featured heavily (he even drank a can of Coors from the shelf before proceeding to uphold the law!).

As I was watching this it stirred a tip I once used many years ago, and to be honest completely forgot about - but one which small businesses can benefit from.

Q. How do you get your brand in front of a large audience (High Street) without spending big.

A. Offer to put up your posters / exhibition stands or pc monitors in the front shop windows of high street companies who have left/gone bust.

It may only be for a short time until new tennants are found, but small businesses with little budget can take advantage of promoting themselves on the high street without having to invest in expensive premises!

Has anyone exploited this idea before? Please let me know...

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
www.geofframm.com

Will We Have To Wait For The '69' To Become Creative

2009-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

So March the 1st was Mercury Marketing's 7th birthday - Happy Birthday to me!

But March the 1st also saw the launch of the new '09' number plate for the motor industry (anyone seen one yet?).

As we know the motor manufacturers are in state of flux, but it is up to the dealerships to break through the gloom by being creative and innovative in their marketing promotions.

Back in a previous life I was a marketing manager for 11 car dealerships in the North East of England. 7 1/2 years ago the '51' registration plate launched to revoultionise the industry.

For this launch I created the 'AREA 51' campaign and included X Files radio style commercials, adverts, pr and we also decked the showrooms out with Aliens! Not everyone knows about Area 51 but it was a conversation piece and yet a simple creative play on the number! It was a great success.

Fast forwards to dealerships across the country and has anyone come up with using the registration numbers to create a campaign?? If so please let me know, as in my observations I've only ever come across the bland BY04NOW, MY56WOW - is this creative or plain broing?

Come on the motor industry shake yourselves up and get creative NOW, as you don't want to wait for the '69' plate to do something creative.

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
www.geofframm.com

No Sign of Affection XXX

2009-02-17T01:44:00.001-08:00

At Warrington Bank Quay station these signs have been put up in the train stations taxi rank to stop couples from kissing! this is because couples are holding up commuters coming in and out of the station.

The no kissing signs are part of the £650,000 station refurbishment funded by Virgin Trains, Network Rail, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Department for Transport.

Virgin say the station has become "increasingly busy" since the introduction of their Pendolino trains between London and Glasgow and Super Voyager trains between Birmingham and Scotland. A Virgin spokesman said: "It's just a quirky thing, it's nothing more than that.. It's a light-hearted way of getting the message across. "We are trying to tell people not to wait too long in the drop-off, but we don't mind people waiting there for a short time."
Asked how the no-kissing rule would be enforced, he added: "We will apply this sensibly."

Is this a great idea? For me it is brilliant as they have gained national pr coverage for their brands for being different, funny and memorable!

Tell me what you think, and do you have / or have seen similar before?

Geoff Ramm xxx

Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Auhtor

www.geofframm.com

You know you've made it when...........................

2009-01-23T03:13:00.000-08:00

You know you've made it.... when you have a car park space reserved (Using an oil can).

Whilst delivering two talks on marketing your new business at Durham University, lecturer Sarah Wilbourn very kindly reserved my space outside of the lecture theatre!

However, funny this may look the fact remains: Put a smile on the faces of your speakers / customers / clients and they'll think your great!

Thanks Sarah, and look forward to seeing the oil can again soon!

Geoff Ramm

www.geofframm.com

Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author

BOGOF Fireworks ..................it's only January!

2009-01-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

On my way to speak in the Midlands I drove past a shop with a huge sign across the top saying FIREWORKS BUY ONE GET ON FREE.

Great offer, good promotion but it's January 2009. So are they way too early? or could they not be bothered to take the sign down?

Which brings me to my question, when is the best time to promote? If we are too late do we miss the boat or if we are too early will people remember us when they wish to buy?

My advice is to get in and get in early, you never miss the bus when your sat in the stop (no matter how long you've been sat there!).

Geoff Ramm
http://www.geofframm.com/
http://www.mercurymarketing.co.uk/

Gary 3222

2009-01-20T06:23:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you about Gary 3222.....

He has to be the most polite, considerate and pleasant member of staff I've come across.

Whilst setting up for my talk at the Radisson Hotel in Birmingham, he asked what I spoke on, whilst bringing an extra table through for me, told me about some of the celebs he's seen come through the doors in the 4 months he's been there.

On his way out he came across to me and took a pen from his pocket and wrote on a post-it....Gary 3222.... There you go Mr Ramm if you need anything just call me on that number!

Sorry Mr Punch, but that's the way to do it!

The 2008 Dick Turpin Award Goes To.........(insert drum roll)

2009-01-05T01:29:00.000-08:00

The Dick Turpin awards are for businesses who deliver daylight robbery to customers (without the mask).

The 2008 winner goes ...... The Dream Castle Hotel, EuroDisney.

They achieved their Dick Turpin award to committing themselves to charging 10Euros for room service (£10 in today's money).

I would like to thank them for overpricing their drinks and then charging the customers the privilege of having them delivered.

A re-brand should take place from Dream to Nightmare!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

A few more pence makes a lot more sense....

2009-01-05T01:21:00.000-08:00

Nanette Newman brought the fairy brand to prominence with her legendary catchphrase.

Businesses should take heed of this one liner to differentiate themselves in 2009.

Take for example the tiny Emporio Italia restaurant/cafe in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. A few days before Christmas we sat outside in freezing temperatures awaiting out latte, fruit juice and of course a Peroni (When in Rome/Ilkley). The waiter brought out a plate of warm garlic bread, bowl of olives, and Italian choc biscuits for our little one!

It is common place nowadays to think we had been up sold or that we would have to pay extra for such generous offerings - but no - this is common place at Emporio Italia and shows that a few more pence.........

Well done and do pay a visit sometime - we will!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

Don't Take Your Rod Out Of The Lake

2008-12-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

So you sit around the lake (target market) looking to catch a fish (customer) and your bait is as good as its ever been (marketing materials and sales script).

Then you hear on the tv, radio and papers that the fish don't want any more bait!!!!!

You then take your rod out of the lake and head home fishless (is this a word?) (no customers).

Right now in today's economic climate more and more rods are being pulled from the lake as their are less fish to catch, but wait.....................

Fish won't become extinct! They were here since Dino walked the land!

Even thought there will be less to catch, the ones with the staying power and the need to stay up all night will surely catch their supper!

Never stop marketing, promoting and selling - when your competitors are going home, stick at it and catch what is there!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

Fly or Die (You Do Have Choice You Know!)

2008-11-28T00:41:00.000-08:00

Just read that Nissan have pulled out of the Detroit Motor Show. Due to the fact that they anticipate low sales next year they've pulled the plug!

Wise move??? In my opinion they have decided on death by non attendance - how are you supposed to boost sales when you don't show up!!!!!!

If I were them I would set about creating a 'Frozen in Grand Central Station' style flash flood style guerrilla marketing campaign in and around Detroit!

Compare this to a small football club - Bradford City FC, they have decided death is not the best policy and have reduced season ticket prices for next year to £95.

Even when the climate is freezing - do something about it!!!!!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

Customer Service? No Change There Then!

2008-11-11T02:21:00.001-08:00

What have I learned from one of the most iconic buildings in the North East....

The Super Awesome Gigantic and some say Extrovert area played host to a large conference recently.

Now picture the scene.... Its £3.50 to park all day (I had (£3.10 plus notes - which the machine would not take). I approached two parking attendants if they had change, 'No sorry' but try in the building. 5 minute walk later I am in the building.
First desk
Me 'Could I possibly have some change please?'

'Sorry' we don't give change out from here, try the cloakroom'.

Me 'Could you .....'

'Sorry I can't open the till, try the cafe'

Me 'Could you ....'

'I can't open the till' (AARRGGHH I now know the reason why we are in a CC - no-one can open a till.

Eventually someone opened the till, and 20 minutes later I paid for a ticket.

C'mon Britain wake up to Customer Service!

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker, Marketer & Author
http://www.geofframm.com/

Flying Dawn & Cornish Pasties from Jen - Get Into The A Team

2008-10-30T04:08:00.001-07:00

So what have I learnt in the last 48hrs!

Shock Horror - The North East is not the capital of friendliness! (Cornwall takes the Geoff Ramm A Team Customer Service Award for 2008).

Newquay Airport is the largest airport in the UK (A history lesson from Allan the taxi driver).

What a brilliant trip down to Cornwall College Business to deliver my Marketing tips for under £1 keynote.

Air Southwest were brilliant, from checking in staff saying 'take care' - not sure whether to be happily surprised or worried! to Dawn the one woman cabin crew from Leeds Bradford to Newquay!

Also joining the A-Team of Service are Ruth, Jen and Becks and the team at Cornwall College (especially to Jen who picked me up from the airport and gave me Cornish pasties - what else could I have in Cornwall - excellent!)

Keep it up Cornwall, and look forward to seeing you again in 2009!

Best wishes,

Geoff Ramm
Marketing Speaker
http://www.geofframm.com/

Southampton 1 Rest of the World 0

2008-08-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

I recently flew down to Southampton to deliver a seminar for a client.

I flew in the evening, and as we were approaching to land passed St Mary's football stadium (I can say I saw Bon Jovi for 10 seconds!).

Got off the plane, carried my hand luggage and walked in the baggage reclaim (MY BAGS WERE ALREADY THERE!!!!).

In a time when the airlines and airports take a pr battering, how refreshing to see that speed and efficiency are high on Southampton's service list!

Thank you.

Geofframm.com

No Room In The Inn!

2008-02-09T05:34:00.000-08:00

Just returned from a great seminar in Workington Cumbia....

40 local businesses attended, and walked away with 15 new marketing ideas to promote their business, delight their customers, and how to generate ideas to stay two steps in front of the competition.

I stayed overnight at a well known hotel in the town. The service was brilliant, the breakfast staff were the happiest and most helpful I'd ever come across. And I had been upgraded at no extra cost to an executive suite!!! But this was not always the case!

In September of last year I originally booked into the hotel and when I arrived at 10.30pm ready for my seminar the next day I was told they had no details of my booking!!!!!!!!!!!! Queue 45 minutes of staff trying to find another venue. And at 5 minutes to midnight I travelled 18 miles to the nearest hotel - Not Great.

It was a terrible experience, and the follow up support from the management was equally as poor e.g. it is policy we won't pay for your accommodation elsewhere. They did however, stick to their word, and promised the next time I was presenting, they would be delighted to welcome me.

Fair play, the hotel turned a very poor experience round into something positive, but there are a couple of lessons for every business.

1. Never have policies that will disappoint your customer

2. Always put it right (upgrade) when you get it wrong!

Till next time....... I'll be staying in a stable!

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker

http://www.geofframm.com/

Negative Signs Damage Your Image!!!

2007-10-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed the vast amount of negative marketing signs?

It's a scary thought that companies spend a fortune on promotions to attract customers, and then they insult them as soon as they arrive!

Take hotels for example, how many times do we read the sign in the car park 'We will take no responsibility whatsoever for your vehicle or its contents'. (Well thank you very much!!!!).

Or the infamous '3 items or less' above the changing room door. (Insulting 99.9% of the good paying public who won't steal!!!).

This Observational Marketing technique relates to a fabulous sign I walked past our poolside whilst on holiday in southern Italy. It was so amazing I had to take a photograph! The following marketing messages on the sign are as follows; No Diving, No Eating, No Drinking, Pets Are Not Accepted, No Mattresses Around Pool Side and No Lifeguard On Duty!!!!!!! Not one word about a Welcome, What's On, Special Offers, Day Trips - just a half dozen negatives.

The fact of the matter remains that negative signs have a negative impact on your brand and your business.

So if you have a business look to promote the positive and not the negative.

A great example of this is a retail outlet in the North East of England called Impressions Retail Outlets they changed their changing room signage to something very positive 'Unlimited number of garments'..... Take a look!

Thanks for reading, more Observational Marketing and tips in the next blog.

Geoff Ramm

Marketing Speaker & Marketer

GeoffRamm.com